Nicole Farhi 'thought she would die during knifepoint robbery'

Nicole Farhi, the fashion designer, has told a court of the terrifying moment she thought she would die as she was mugged at knifepoint outside her home.

Miss Farhi was attacked as she returned to her home in HighgatePhoto: MARTIN POPE

11:55AM BST 02 Jun 2009

Ms Farhi said she was attacked shortly after returning to her home in Highgate, north London, after 11pm on April 24 last year by two men who stole a diamond ring and a Rolex watch that had belonged to her father.

She told the court how she was attacked as she went to open her front door.

"One hand came on to my eyes, the other on to my throat, he squeezed and I fainted."

She described how she came round when she felt one of the men pull the ring from her finger.

"My last thought was how stupid to die in front of my house," Ms Farhi told Wood Green Crown Court.

Ms Farhi was giving evidence at the trial of Matthew Mykoo.

It is alleged Mykoo, 27, of Windsor Road, Brent, north-west London, wielded a knife while his brother Daniel forced his arm around Ms Farhi's throat.

They stole a ring, money and her Rolex - ignoring her pleas that the watch had sentimental value, it was claimed.

She was choked with such force that she lost consciousness for a few minutes, the court heard.

Matthew Mykoo denies 16 counts of robbery, and last week admitted a further two counts. He also denies a charge of taking a car without consent.

It is alleged the brothers carried out 16 robberies together. Daniel Mykoo, 28, of Fulham Court, Fulham, west London has admitted 16 counts of robbery.